162/10 (19.3)
CR : 8.31
254/5 (20.0)
CR : 12.70
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 92 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Rajat Patidar
93(33)*
Super Striker of the Match: Rajat Patidar (281.81)
Most Sixes in the Match: Rajat Patidar (9)
Most Fours in the Match: Rahul Tewatia (8)
Most Dot Balls in the Match: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (14 Dots)
Player of the Match: Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar (POTM and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Captain): "[Couldn't have asked for a better game coming into the qualifier, isn't it?] Yeah, definitely. It was a super game for us. And especially with the way batters dominated this game, the way everyone was striking with the intent, it was good for us.
[Looked like there was a clear plan to attack the GT bowlers. Is that true?] It wasn't a clear plan, but we were ready for it. You have to show some body language that we are coming for you. That was there in every batter. So we had a chat in the meeting to keep the good body language and the attacking mindset.
[It seemed like everyone was charged up, including the dressing room] It is a big stage, qualifier 1; the way we played and dominated this game was superb.
[About his batting to start with 14 off 10 balls, next 23 balls, 79 runs, what was the trigger that changed it for him?] The way of my batting is similar. Starting, I take a few balls, 8-10 balls, to see how the wicket is behaving and what the bowler is doing. Then I have a clear mind to go about it. After that, I am not worried about my wicket. I try to put the bowler under pressure.
[About the bowling plan] To be honest, the wicket wasn't that easy to go under the ball and hit long sixes, because there was variable bounce. The way bowlers executed their plans, bowled more balls on the stumps, I think that helped.
[About targeting GT's top 3] The way GT played till now, their top three batters were the main. We were clear that we had to get their top three out in the powerplay and hopefully, it worked.
[About the thinking behind Romario Shepherd's inclusion as an impact player] No, I was just checking how Romario will bowl in the middle overs if we go into the final.
[Feet up for a few days?] Yeah, I think it will be a good recovery and let's go for the finals."
[Looked like there was a clear plan to attack the GT bowlers. Is that true?] It wasn't a clear plan, but we were ready for it. You have to show some body language that we are coming for you. That was there in every batter. So we had a chat in the meeting to keep the good body language and the attacking mindset.
[It seemed like everyone was charged up, including the dressing room] It is a big stage, qualifier 1; the way we played and dominated this game was superb.
[About his batting to start with 14 off 10 balls, next 23 balls, 79 runs, what was the trigger that changed it for him?] The way of my batting is similar. Starting, I take a few balls, 8-10 balls, to see how the wicket is behaving and what the bowler is doing. Then I have a clear mind to go about it. After that, I am not worried about my wicket. I try to put the bowler under pressure.
[About the bowling plan] To be honest, the wicket wasn't that easy to go under the ball and hit long sixes, because there was variable bounce. The way bowlers executed their plans, bowled more balls on the stumps, I think that helped.
[About targeting GT's top 3] The way GT played till now, their top three batters were the main. We were clear that we had to get their top three out in the powerplay and hopefully, it worked.
[About the thinking behind Romario Shepherd's inclusion as an impact player] No, I was just checking how Romario will bowl in the middle overs if we go into the final.
[Feet up for a few days?] Yeah, I think it will be a good recovery and let's go for the finals."
Rajat Patidar's Acceleration Tonight:
First 13 Balls, 21 Runs
Next 20 Balls, 72 Runs
First 13 Balls, 21 Runs
Next 20 Balls, 72 Runs
Captains to Win Player of the Match Awards in IPL Playoffs/Knockouts:
Adam Gilchrist (Deccan Chargers) vs DC, Centurion, 2009 (1st SF)
Anil Kumble (RCB) vs Deccan Chargers, Johannesburg, 2009 (Final)
MS Dhoni (CSK) vs MI, Bengaluru, 2012 (Eliminator)
Rohit Sharma (MI) vs CSK, Kolkata, 2015 (Final)
David Warner (SRH) vs GL, Delhi, 2016 (Qualifier 2)
Hardik Pandya (GT) vs RR, Ahmedabad, 2022 (Final)
Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) vs MI, Ahmedabad, 2025 (Qualifier 2)
Rajat Patidar (RCB) vs GT, Dharamsala, 2026 (Qualifier 1), Tonight*
Adam Gilchrist (Deccan Chargers) vs DC, Centurion, 2009 (1st SF)
Anil Kumble (RCB) vs Deccan Chargers, Johannesburg, 2009 (Final)
MS Dhoni (CSK) vs MI, Bengaluru, 2012 (Eliminator)
Rohit Sharma (MI) vs CSK, Kolkata, 2015 (Final)
David Warner (SRH) vs GL, Delhi, 2016 (Qualifier 2)
Hardik Pandya (GT) vs RR, Ahmedabad, 2022 (Final)
Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) vs MI, Ahmedabad, 2025 (Qualifier 2)
Rajat Patidar (RCB) vs GT, Dharamsala, 2026 (Qualifier 1), Tonight*
"I don't see us as 'defending champions'. We don't want to think of anything defensive", said Rajat Patidar in a press conference earlier this season. Tonight, yet again, he walked the talk. With his team in a bit of bother, he decided to counter-attack in manner that left all of us gasping. An unbeaten 33-ball-93 — in which he faced only a single dot ball — that will live on forever in RCB's lore. Post this performance, they head into the finals as firm favourites.
On the other hand, Gujarat Titans had a nightmare. Their feared bowling attack took a beating and the batting failed to click. Perhaps, Sai Sudharsan's hitwicket perfectly sums up the kind of outing they had. However, they will get another chance to bounce back — after all they finished the league stage in the Top 2. But who will they face in Qualifier 2 on Friday, May 29?
That will be decided in 24 hours from now. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals are set to lock horns in The Eliminator on May 27, Wednesday. Will Pat Cummins and co. paint New Chandigarh orange? Or will Riyan Parag's troop extend their Royal march? We will find out together. Do join us for that game. Our coverage will start at 6:30 PM IST.
For now, this is Darpan Tikiya signing off on the behalf of AkshayaKrishna Polya, Ninaad Dixit, Pritam Dey, Aman, Paras Yadav and Manish Bishnoi. Keep following Crickxo for more cricketing action from around the globe. Sayonara!
On the other hand, Gujarat Titans had a nightmare. Their feared bowling attack took a beating and the batting failed to click. Perhaps, Sai Sudharsan's hitwicket perfectly sums up the kind of outing they had. However, they will get another chance to bounce back — after all they finished the league stage in the Top 2. But who will they face in Qualifier 2 on Friday, May 29?
That will be decided in 24 hours from now. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals are set to lock horns in The Eliminator on May 27, Wednesday. Will Pat Cummins and co. paint New Chandigarh orange? Or will Riyan Parag's troop extend their Royal march? We will find out together. Do join us for that game. Our coverage will start at 6:30 PM IST.
For now, this is Darpan Tikiya signing off on the behalf of AkshayaKrishna Polya, Ninaad Dixit, Pritam Dey, Aman, Paras Yadav and Manish Bishnoi. Keep following Crickxo for more cricketing action from around the globe. Sayonara!